Device, method, and program product for controlling a tape data storage drive

1. A method of controlling a tape drive operable with a tape storage medium, said method comprising: in response to the receipt of a write command, storing data sets associated with said write command in a buffer memory; obtaining a total number N of data sets stored within said buffer memory; obtaining a tape length L from a current write position on a tape storage medium to a physical end-of-tape (PEOT) of said tape storage medium; determining whether or not there is enough space to write said total number N of data sets plus data sets from one additional write command within said tape length L; and in a determination that there is not enough space to write said total number N of data sets plus data sets from one additional write command within said tape length L, issuing a logical end-of-tape (LEOT) notification.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method further includes in a determination that there is enough space to write said total number N of data sets plus data sets from one additional write command within said tape length L, subsequently writing said total number N of data sets on said tape storage medium.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining further includes determining whether or not (N+Nz)×M is greater than L, wherein M is a tape length per data set, Nz is a maximum number of data sets that can be associated with said one additional write command, and (N+Nz)×M greater than L means that there is not enough space to write said total number N of data sets plus data sets from said one additional write command within said tape length L.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein said method further includes determining M by referring to a tape map.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said one additional write command is issued after said obtaining said total number N or said tape length L.